Barry Bonds

Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder (1986–1992), seven-time NL MVP, and MLB home run king.

Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964) is an American former professional baseball left fielder who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Bonds was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1986 to 1992 and the San Francisco Giants from 1993 to 2007. He is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Quick Facts

Position: Left fielder
Bats: Left
Born: 24 July 1964
Birthplace: Riverside, California, U.S.
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: May 30
Debut year: 1986
Debut team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Lore & Background

Bonds was born in Riverside, California, to Patricia and Bobby Bonds, and grew up in San Carlos, California. He attended Arundel Elementary School and later Junípero Serra High School. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the second round of the 1982 MLB draft but did not sign, instead attending Arizona State University. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him with the sixth overall pick of the 1985 MLB draft. He made his Major League debut on May 30, 1986, at Three Rivers Stadium, starting in center field. He hit his first career home run on June 4, 1986, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium. He played center field in 1986 but switched to left field in 1987.

Reader's Guide

Bonds played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1986 to 1992. He led NL rookies in 1986 with 16 home runs, 48 RBI, 36 stolen bases, and 65 walks. He won his first MVP award in 1990. He holds many MLB hitting records, including most career home runs (762), most home runs in a single season (73, set in 2001), and records for most walks and intentional walks. He won eight Gold Glove Awards, 12 Silver Slugger Awards, and 14 All-Star selections. He is the only MLB player with at least 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases.